India may not keep December 1 date with drones

“It is highly unlikely that we will be able to launch it on and from December 1 due to various reasons, including not being able to create the Digital Sky platform for the launch of drone operations,” said a senior government official.Mihir Mishra | ET Bureau | November 03, 2018, 07:27 IST

India’s serious drone users will likely have to wait longer than December 1 as the government hasn’t been able to draw up a framework to allow their operation, including the creation of a Digital Sky platform, by the deadline.

“It is highly unlikely that we will be able to launch it on and from December 1 due to various reasons, including not being able to create the Digital Sky platform for the launch of drone operations,” said a senior government official, who did not want to be identified.

Except for toys used by children, drone users have to register their devices on the platform and seek permission for every flight, according to the plan. The Airports Authority of India had issued a tender for management of drone operations but the last date for submissions had to be extended by 12 days from November 2 to November 14.

“This would mean that it would not be implemented (by the deadline),” said the official. Reasons for the delay also include the SC barring the use of Aadhaar for authentication, apart from specific purposes such as direct benefit transfers.

“We had earlier decided to verify users through Aadhaar but that is not allowed under the court order. Hence, we will have to decide on a new identification to verify users,” the official said. “We can use other identity cards like PAN card too, but that decision needs to be taken.”Also, the authority received about 500 queries on the tender and preparing replies has been time-consuming, the official said.

India announced on August 27 that it would allow operation of drones from December 1 and categorised them into five based on weight — starting at less than 250 grams and going up to more than 150 kg — and their use. Barring the smallest nano category, other categories — micro, small, medium and large — need to be registered.

Nano drones used by children for recreation don’t need to be registered. The government estimates there are about 40,000 drones in the country and expects that number will increase to 1 million over five years. That will see 500,000 drone pilots, 1,000 manufacturers and about 100,000 drone operators in the system.